The Daily Peloton has a report on a new book by former pro cyclist Jesper Skibby. Who?
Skibby was a part of the so-called “Golden Generation” of Danish Cycling; a generation of Cyclists that included such strong riders as Bjarne Riis, Rolf Sörensen, and Brian Holm; people who today remain active in the sport. But while other among those riders may have achieved greater results or have been more popular (however that is measured), Skibby was perhaps the best-loved. He was the upright, lovable, funny one; always ready with a quick rejoinder, a smile, and witty remarks no matter how tough the day had been.
Skibby documents his descent from cycling, into legal medical treatments, into illegal doping. As an outsider looking in, one more dart to this sports reputation. Considering the stories, the deaths, the grubby reputation, pro cycling needs a major rehabbing. Do cyclists recognize this?
Skibby describes a life in Cycling filled with medicine. Already from the early days, Skibby explains, he got used to the needle. Recuperative drip, vitamins, and various legal medical treatments all quickly became a part of his life...
In Skibby’s world, the doctor was god; anti-doping laws were too convoluted for any non-specialist to keep track of, and after 200 kilometers of race no rider is in a state to argue over treatments...“When he finally knocked on my door and turned over to me the syringe, I felt exactly like a small boy receiving a Christmas present. I knew exactly what I needed to do. I pulled down my pants, pierced myself diagonally in the arse and pressed the plunger to the bottom. I felt a slight sensation of pressure, but no pain.”
Skibby describes the descent into doping:
Starting out with cortico-steroids, Skibby soon began to work with an increasing list of the well-known products; growth hormones (for the first time in 1992), EPO (for the first time in 1993), anabolic steroids and testosterone...
(more after the jump)
The Cyclist describes the psychological 'benefits', and the secrecy.
“Again it was the change in my mind that was remarkable. ... I was constantly on the lookout for information about new methods that could maintain this feeling of being unconquerable, invincible, immortal.”
One of the most interesting chapters in Skibby’s tale is that of rule of silence in the peloton... No one, not his doctors, not his fellow team mates, not even his wife (though Skibby is convinced that she knew – as she has later confirmed) were allowed to share in his secret.
Do dope-cheaters get caught?
In the thirteen years of his career, Skibby “never tested positive”, as the parlance goes; he would have lost nothing by maintaining the silence he had already held to for one and a half decades. But after several years of recuperation from the after-effects of a life far from normal, Skibby found himself tired of the lies.
Reactions?
Anti-Doping Denmark have subsequently publicly stated that there will be no follow-up sanctions against Skibby, despite his admission of doping during his career.
Again, these sordid tales of doping continue to plague professional cycling. All the Floyd Landis defenses are not going to stop the world from looking upon this sport as incredibly tainted.
Steroid Nation is not saying all cyclists are dopers. However, cyclists must recognize the outside world's cynical opinions. If Cycling is to regain and maintain credibility, cyclists need to take action, beyond inventing incredulous excuses and blaming others.
GRG,
Interesting article in the Daily Peloton. Hadn't seen that review before. You're right, of course, that pro cyclists need to do something in order to help change outsiders opinions of our sport.
I've got a copy of Skibby's book. It will be interesting to see how accurately this review (and others that I've read) portray Skibby's story.
- Rant
Posted by: Daniel M | 12/26/2006 at 21:10
I guess I now have to read the book. I received a copy of Dick Pond's book for Xmas from my daughter, who kept giggling...so the Skibby book will come later.
thanks
Posted by: RG51 | 12/26/2006 at 21:22
"Nation"
No one doubts that cycling has a big problem and it needs change/reform. But, how much can it do alone? Doesn't it need wada to change/reform? Dick pound said the system is fine, maybe only requiring a few minor tweaks.
So, what can cycling do without wada? I'm thinking not much.
Posted by: org | 12/27/2006 at 09:45
By the way, you're tagged.
- Rant
Posted by: Daniel M | 12/27/2006 at 10:37
RG51,
I hope you read Danish, because the English language version isn't out yet. ;-)
- Rant
Posted by: Daniel M | 12/27/2006 at 10:39
I will have to brush up on my Danish. I like the cheese ones, and sometimes even the fruit ones. I need to lose 20 pounds in 2 days (when I go on a short vacation) so I am not into Danish much this week.
Posted by: GRG51 | 12/27/2006 at 11:02
I thought about this alot, at least on the drive into 'work' today. [big sigh].
Doping is cheating. There are probably several ways to deal with cheating. Let me give one way, and I do not have the details or implications worked out.
I have seen cheating. I hate cheaters. I experienced cheating in medicine, research and in sports. The bigger the name, the more some want to cheat.
There is one way to deal with cheaters - crush them.
I am going to quote John Kay and Steppenwolf (ha) from 'The Pusher'
"Well, now if I were the president of this land
You know, I'd declare total war on The Pusher man
I'd cut him if he stands, and I'd shoot him if he'd run
Yes I'd kill him with my Bible and my razor and my gun"
That is what it would take to root out cheating. A strong leader, and a strong policy. If that happens, there will be false positives thrown out with true positives (doping tests). Hurting some innocents (as noted in a post in 'The Nation' today) would occur.
If the cheating athletes, and the cheating coaches were crushed so hard and so fast, and without mercy, cheating would be limited to the truly psychotic psychopaths.
The answer lies somewhere in the between 'anything goes' and 'crush without mercy'. That is the dialog that must be executed (so to speak).
Posted by: GRG51 | 12/27/2006 at 11:12
GRG,
Agreed. There needs to be a middle ground, where cheaters proven to be guilty are dealt with, while still providing a process to allow accused cheaters to proved their innocence (or not).
That's why I rant on and on, (hopefully not) ad nauseum.
- Rant
Posted by: Daniel M | 12/27/2006 at 11:32
By the way, I'm partial to the Cinnamon Danish at Mickey D's. :-)
- Rant
Posted by: Daniel M | 12/27/2006 at 12:57